Attachable duster for ceiling fans

ABSTRACT

The adjustable ceiling fan blade cleaner consists of a clamp that connects around the body of a ceiling fan motor via a two-member telescoping ring. Two arms project out the end of the cleaner. Each arm then has a section of cloth that hangs down and slightly drapes over the fan blade in much the same manner as a flag. Thus as the blades of the fan turn, the cloth swipes off any dust. When dirty, the cloths are simply slid off of the end, washed, and then replaced. Disposable, one-time cleaning cloths may also be used as well. The use of the attachable duster for ceiling fan allows for virtually effortless cleaning of ceiling fan blades in a manner, which is quick, easy and effective.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention was first described in Disclosure DocumentRegistration 507,255 filed on Mar. 6, 2002 under 35 U.S.C. §122 and 37C.F.R. §1.14. There are no previously filed, nor currently anyco-pending applications, anywhere in the world.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to cleaning of ceiling fanblades, and more specifically to an attachment that allows the ceilingfan to operate in a self-cleaning fashion.

2. Description of the Related Art

With today's fast-paced lifestyles, people are becoming increasinglypressed to accomplish the variety of household chores under theirresponsibility. One of these chores is that of dusting. While mostdusting is accomplished with a simple rag, there are some locations thatare harder to get at, yet, must be done since they are visible to thecasual observer. One such location is that of ceiling fan blades. Notonly do ceiling fan blades collect the normal amount of dust as otherlocations, they also attract dust while in operation. While somecleaning devices with long handles are available, they still requiretime to use, and usually do a less than satisfactory job. A step-stoolis usually required to clean the fan blades thoroughly, but once again,this requires even more time, and exposes the person to a dangerousfall. There are also a number of vacuum attachments available forcleaning ceiling fan blades. Accordingly, there is a need for a means bywhich ceiling fan blades can be kept clean at all times in a continuousmanner.

A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that readdirectly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the followingreferences were considered related:

U.S. Pat. No. 6,345,409, issued in the name of LaCroix, describes avacuum nozzle for cleaning ceiling fan blades;

U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,259, issued in the name of Cika, describes a vacuumnozzle for cleaning ceiling fan blades;

U.S. Pat. No. 5,488,754, issued in the name of Shadley, describes avacuum nozzle for cleaning ceiling fan blades;

U.S. Pat. No. 5,410,776, issued in the name of Schneider, describes avacuum nozzle for cleaning ceiling fan blades;

U.S. Pat. No. 5,319,821, issued in the name of Nicholson, describes avacuum nozzle for cleaning ceiling fan blades;

U.S. Pat. No. 5,313,687, issued in the name of Schneider, describes avacuum nozzle for cleaning ceiling fan blades; and

U.S. Pat. No. 4,823,431, issued in the name of Carpenter, describes avacuum nozzle for cleaning ceiling fan blades.

Consequently, there exists a need for new product ideas and enhancementsfor existing products in the ceiling fan industry directed atself-cleaning of the fan blades.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide anadjustable duster attachable to a ceiling fan for cleaning fan bladesduring operation.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide an adjustable dusterhaving adjustable arms for proper positioning of the arms.

It is a further feature of the present invention to provide anadjustable duster having disposable dusting apparatuses capable of easyremoval and replacement.

It is a further feature of the present invention to provide anadjustable duster having dusting cloths chemically treated with staticenhancing material to provide enhanced attraction of dust and debris.

It is a further feature of the present invention to provide anadjustable duster having dusting cloths chemically treated withfragrances for permeating a room in which the ceiling fan is used,providing a fresh and pleasant smell to that room.

Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention,the attachable duster for a ceiling fan is an apparatus that providesself cleaning capability to ceiling fans. The invention consists of aclamp that connects around the body of the ceiling fan motor via a strapor similar method. From this clamp, two or more extendable rods protrudeout the end of the fan blades. Each rod then has a section of cloth thathangs down and slightly drapes over the fan blade in much the samemanner as a flag. Thus as the blades of the fan turn, the cloth swipesoff any dust. When dirty, the cloths are simply slid off of the end,washed, and then replaced. Disposable, one-time cleaning cloths may alsobe used as well. The use of the attachable duster for ceiling fan allowsfor virtually effortless cleaning of ceiling fan blades in a manner,which is quick, easy and effective.

The use of the present invention provides users with all of thematerials and tools necessary to ensure that a user may easily use andmaintain an adjustable duster attachable to a ceiling fan.

An advantage of the present invention is that it is specifically adaptedfor home or office use.

A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides aunique alternative to the vacuum attachments necessary to clean the topportion of ceiling fan blades.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become betterunderstood with reference to the following more detailed description andclaims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in whichlike elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable duster affixed to aceiling fan;

FIG. 2a is a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, illustrating thedetached arrangement of a ring and ring members;

FIG. 2b is a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 2a, illustrating theattached arrangement of a ring and ring members, wherein the ring isattached to the motor housing of a ceiling fan;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b,illustrating the channel formed by within the first ring member and theslidable insertion of the second ring member with the channel;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b, andillustrating the collar incorporated into the attachment of theadjustable duster to the spindle of the ceiling fan (as opposed to themotor housing depicted in FIG. 1, FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective of a dusting apparatus detached froman arm;

FIG. 6 is a perspective of the apparatus shown in FIG. 5, illustratingthe slidable insertion of the dusting apparatus into the arm; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective of the apparatus of FIG. 1 illustrating thepivots provided for adjusting the angle and arrangement of the arms andthe dusting cloths in relation to the fan blades.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms ofits preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the Figures.

1. Detailed Description of the Figures

Referring now to FIG. 1, an attachable duster for a ceiling fan blade 10is shown in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. The attachable duster 10 includes an adjustable telescopingring 12 for mounting the attachable duster 10 to the motor housing 14 ofa ceiling fan 16. A pair of arms 18 and 20 are projecting away from thering 12 and are positioned 180° apart along the outer circumference ofthe ring 12. A corresponding pair of dusting cloth apparatuses 22 and 24project downward from the arms 18 and 20. As the fan blades 26 rotate,in either a clockwise or counterclockwise fashion, the dusting clothapparatuses 22 and 24 brush against and clean the top surface of the fanblades 28.

Referring now to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the adjustable telescopingring 12 includes a first ring member 30 and a second ring member 32. Thefirst ring member 30 includes a curvilinear first sidewall 34 oppositeto a curvilinear second sidewall 36. The top portions of the curvilinearfirst and second sidewalls 34 and 36 depend from a curvilinear top wall38. The bottom portions of the curvilinear first and second sidewalls 34and 36 depend from a curvilinear bottom wall 40. The first and secondsidewalls 34 and 36 and the top and bottom walls 38 and 40 form a firstring member cavity 42 that transverses the first ring member 30 so as toaccommodate the second ring member 32.

The second ring member 32 includes a curvilinear anterior portion 46 andan opposing curvilinear posterior portion 47. The second ring member 32further includes a curvilinear top portion 48 and an opposingcurvilinear bottom portion 49. Unlike the first ring member 30, however,the second ring member 32 does not include a cavity, but is instead agenerally solid component that telescopes into and out of the first ringmember cavity 42 described above. The telescoping action of the ring 12,and its first and second ring members 30 and 32, allow the ring 12inward or outward movement and thereby providing the adjustabilitynecessary so that the ring 12 may accommodate the various sized ceilingfan motor housings 14 or the spindle 50 found in the industry. It isalso envisioned, in an alternative embodiment of the present invention,that the ring 12 may have a hinge and a latch, whereby a user couldattach the ring 12 to a ceiling fan by releasing the latch, pivoting thehinge to an open position, sliding the ring 12 around the ceiling fan,and then securing the latch to provide a secure fit. In addition, othersimilar attachment devices are envisioned as being incorporated into theadjustable duster 10.

The ring 12 may also include an adapter collar 52 (as illustrated inFIG. 4) that has an annular shape with a first end portion 54 that abutsto a second end portion 56. The collar 52 is necessary if placement ofthe ring 12 onto the motor housing 14 is not practicable. For instance,some ceiling fans have a motor housing that also rotates as the bladesare rotated. Attachment of the ring 12 to the rotating motor housingwould render the adjustable duster 10 ineffective, since the duster 10would rotate at the same speed and along the same path as the fanblades, and thus would not clean the blades as envisioned. For such acircumstance, the collar 52 is provide to snugly fit around the ceilingfan spindle 50, wherein the first end portion 54 is separated from thesecond end portion 56 until the collar 52 is placed around the spindle50. Then, the ring 12 may be adjusted about the collar 52 until the ring12 abuts against the collar 52, which then abuts to the spindle 50,thereby providing a suspended, yet secure, connection of the adjustableduster 10 to the ceiling fan 16.

Referring now to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the pair of arms 18 and 20 includesa first arm 18 and a second arm 20. The first and second arms 18 and 20are mirror images of one another, therefore the following detaileddescription of the first arm 18 will serve as a representativedescription of the second arm 20, wherein the reference numerals for thecorresponding components of the second arm 20 are in parentheses. Thefirst arm 18 is a linearly elongated member depending from the firstring member 30 and having a first top surface 58 (or second top surface66) and a pair of downwardly projecting beams 60 (68) and 62 (70) andforming a first channel 64 (or second channel 72) for receiving thedusting cloths apparatuses 22 or 24. The first beam 60 (or third beam68) and the second beam 62 (or fourth beam 70) are inwardly biasedtoward the centerline of the top surface 58 (66) so as to form the firstchannel 64 (or second channel 72) for mechanically impinging the dustingcloth apparatuses 22 or 24. The first or second arm 18 or 20 alsoincludes a pair of lockable and adjustable pivots 90 (94) and 92 (96),as illustrated in FIG. 7. The first and second pivots 90 (or third pivot94) and 92 (or fourth pivot 96) provide a means for the first and secondarms 18 and 20 to be adjusted at an appropriate angle for thoroughly andefficiently cleaning the fan blades during operation. The pivots 90 (94)and 92 (96) are especially advantageous for use with the embodimentincorporating the collar 52 for connecting the ring 12 to the ceilingfan spindle 50. The pivots 90 (94) and 92 (96) allow the arms to pivotdownwardly (as shown by the phantom lines in FIG. 7) to provide bettercontact between the dusting cloths 80 and 82 and the fan blades 28.

The dusting cloths apparatuses 22 and 24 include a first dusting clothapparatus 22, corresponding to the first arm 18, and a second dustingcloth apparatus 24, corresponding to the second arm 20. The first andsecond dusting cloth apparatuses 22 and 24 are mirror images of oneanother, therefore the following detailed description of the firstdusting cloth apparatus 22 will serve as a representative description ofthe second dusting cloth apparatus 24, wherein the reference numeralsfor the corresponding components of the second dusting cloth apparatus24 are in parentheses. The first dusting cloth apparatus 22 is alinearly elongated member having a first top segment 74 (or second topsegment 84) and two downwardly projecting first side segment 76 (orthird side segment 86) and second side segment 78 (or fourth sidesegment 88). The side segments 76 (86) and 78 (88) are inwardly biasedtoward the centerline of the top segment 74 (84) so as to mechanicallyimpinge a first or second dusting cloth 80 or 82. The first or seconddusting cloth apparatus 22 or 24 is slidably inserted into the first orsecond channel 64 or 72 so that the first and second dusting cloths 80or 82 are suspended from the first or second arm 18 or 20.

It is envisioned that the dusting apparatuses 22 and 24 are disposable,wherein the used and saturated dusting apparatus 22 or 24 is slidablyremoved from an arm 18 or 20 and a new dusting apparatus 22 or 24 isslidably inserted in an arm 18 or 20 for new and continued use. Thereplacement dusting apparatuses 22 or 24 may be included in thecommercial embodiment or may follow as a separate commercial purchase.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention includes the chemicaltreatment of the first and second dusting cloths 80 and 82 so as toprovide a variety of scents or cleansing effects. For example, and in noway providing a limitation to the scope of the present invention, theadditives described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,636,429, issued in the name ofMorrell et al., provide a process and a means for treating non-wovenpolypropylene webs so as to provide an increased dust-attractingcapability of the fabric used in dusting furniture. In Morrell et al.,the polypropylene webs are treated with polypropylene glycol by weightof 0.1% to 5.0%. The chemical treatment as described in Morrell et al.is anticipated as a general type of treatment so as to provide thedusting cloths 80 and 82 with enhanced dust-attraction capabilities andis hereby incorporated by reference herein as though written in itsentirety. Further chemical enhancements may include the addition offragrance additives, so as to provide a variety of refreshing smells toa room and exaggerated by the turning of the ceiling fan blades.

It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the presentinvention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the presentinvention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown anddescribed for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way oflimitation of the scope.

2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment

A user will slidably insert the second member ring 32 into the firstmember ring 30 (as illustrated by FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b) until the ring 12securely abuts against the motor housing 14. The user will adjust thefirst and second arms 18 and 20 so that the first and second dust cloths80 and 82 are suspended at an appropriate length to thoroughly andefficiently clean dust and debris from the top portion of the fan blades28.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the presentinvention have been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously manymodifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to bestexplain the principles of the invention and its practical application,to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize theinvention and various embodiments with various modifications as aresuited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scopeof the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and theirequivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited onlyby the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A ceiling fan blade cleaner comprising: anadjustable ring for attaching said cleaner to a ceiling fan; a pair ofarms projecting away from said adjustable ring; and a pair of dustingcloth apparatuses downwardly projecting away from said pair of arms. 2.The ceiling fan blade cleaner of claim 1, wherein said adjustable ringcomprises a first ring member and a second ring member, said first ringmember receiving said second ring member.
 3. The ceiling fan bladecleaner of claim 2, wherein said first ring member comprises: acurvilinear first sidewall; a curvilinear second sidewall, said secondsidewall opposite to said first sidewall; a curvilinear top wall, saidtop wall depending from said first sidewall and said second sidewall; acurvilinear bottom wall, said bottom wall opposite to said top wall,said bottom wall depending from said first sidewall and said secondsidewall; said first sidewall, said second sidewall, said top wall andsaid bottom wall forming a cavity for receiving said second ring member.4. The ceiling fan blade cleaner of claim 3, wherein said cavitytransverses an entire length of said first ring member.
 5. The ceilingfan blade cleaner of claim 2, wherein said second ring member comprises:a curvilinear anterior portion; a curvilinear posterior portion, saidposterior portion opposite to said anterior portion; a curvilinear topportion, said top portion depending from said anterior portion and saidposterior portion; a curvilinear bottom portion, said bottom portionopposite to said top portion, said bottom portion depending from saidanterior portion and said posterior portion; said anterior portion, saidposterior portion, said top portion and said bottom portion forming asolid second ring member for insertion into a cavity of said first ringmember.
 6. The ceiling fan blade cleaner of claim 1, wherein said pairof arms comprises a first arm and a second arm, said second armpositioned 180° apart from said first arm.
 7. The ceiling fan bladecleaner of claim 6, wherein said first arm is linearly elongated anddepends from said first ring member.
 8. The ceiling fan blade cleaner ofclaim 7, wherein said first arm further comprises: a first top surface;a first beam downwardly projected from said first top surface, saidfirst beam inwardly biased toward a centerline of said first topsurface; a second beam downwardly projected from said first top surface,said second beam positioned opposite to said first beam, said secondbeam inwardly biased toward said centerline of said first top surface;and a first channel formed from said first top surface, said first beamand said second beam, said first channel receiving and mechanicallyimpinging a dusting cloth apparatus.
 9. The ceiling fan blade cleaner ofclaim 8, wherein said first arm further comprises a first pivot and asecond pivot, provided as means for adjusting an angle of said first armfor optimum cleaning efficiency of said ceiling fan blade cleaner. 10.The ceiling fan blade cleaner of claim 6, wherein said second arm islinearly elongated and depends from said second ring member.
 11. Theceiling fan blade cleaner of claim 10, wherein said second arm furthercomprises: a second top surface; a third beam downwardly projected fromsaid second top surface, said third beam inwardly biased toward acenterline of said second top surface; a fourth beam downwardlyprojected from said second top surface, said fourth beam positionedopposite to said third beam, said fourth beam inwardly biased towardsaid centerline of said second top surface; and a second channel formedfrom said second top surface, said third beam and said fourth beam, saidsecond channel receiving and mechanically impinging a dusting clothapparatus.
 12. The ceiling fan blade cleaner of claim 11, wherein saidsecond arm further comprises a second pivot and a third pivot, providedas means for adjusting an angle of said second arm for optimum cleaningefficiency of said ceiling fan blade cleaner.
 13. The ceiling fan bladecleaner of claim 1, wherein said pair of dusting cloth apparatusescomprise: a first dusting cloth apparatus, said first dusting clothapparatus downwardly projecting from said first arm; and a seconddusting cloth apparatus, said second dusting cloth apparatus downwardlyprojecting from said second arm.
 14. The ceiling fan blade cleaner ofclaim 13, wherein said first dusting cloth apparatus comprises: a firsttop segment; a first side segment, said first side segment dependingfrom said first top segment, said first side segment inwardly biasedtoward a centerline of said first top segment; a second side segment,said second side segment depending from said first top segment, saidsecond side segment inwardly biased toward said centerline of said firsttop segment; and a first dusting cloth, said first dusting clothmechanically impinged within said first top segment, said first sidesegment and said second side segment.
 15. The ceiling fan blade cleanerof claim 14, wherein said first dusting cloth apparatus is a disposablecomponent of said ceiling fan blade cleaner.
 16. The ceiling fan bladecleaner of claim 14, wherein said first dusting cloth is chemicallytreated to enhance dust-attraction of said first dusting cloth.
 17. Theceiling fan blade cleaner of claim 13, wherein said second dusting clothapparatus comprises: a second top segment; a third side segment, saidthird side segment depending from said second top segment, said thirdside segment inwardly biased toward a centerline of said second topsegment; a fourth side segment, said fourth side segment depending fromsaid second top segment, said fourth side segment inwardly biased towardsaid centerline of said second top segment; and a second dusting cloth,said second dusting cloth mechanically impinged within said second topsegment, said third side segment and said fourth side segment.
 18. Theceiling fan blade cleaner of claim 17, wherein said second dusting clothapparatus is a disposable component of said ceiling fan blade cleaner.19. The ceiling fan blade cleaner of claim 17, wherein said seconddusting cloth is chemically treated to enhance dust-attraction of saidsecond dusting cloth.
 20. The ceiling fan blade cleaner of claim 1further comprising an adapter collar for attachment of said ceiling fanblade cleaner to a narrow component of a ceiling fan.